System for extending turndown in a gas-liquid separator

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for extending turndown in a gas-liquid separator is presented. The apparatus includes a first mist extractor with a first operating range and a second mist extractor with a second operating range. The mist extractors are generally of the same type, with the second operating range being different than the first operating range. A gas stream containing entrained liquid droplets flows through the first mist extractor and then through the second mist extractor. Each mist extractor coalesces and captures the liquid droplets within its own operating range, expanding the overall operating range of the separator. Additional mist extractors may be added to cover any gap between the first and second operating ranges.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/718,597 filed on Dec. 18, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gas-liquid separators are commonly used to segregate a gas phase from a liquid phase in many industries, including the oil and gas industry. Effective separation is necessary to ensure the quality of the final products and to prevent problems in downstream process equipment. Many gas-liquid separators employ a mist extractor in the gas phase area of the separator to enhance the coalescence and capture of small liquid droplets entrained in the gas. Mist extractors work on one or more principles including, but not limited to, gravity, enhanced gravity, inertia, and impingement.

At low and medium operating pressures, the gas phase area of conventional gas-liquid separators with mist extractors is typically sized using the Souders-Brown equation: v _(G(MAX)) =K((ρ_(L)−ρ_(G))/ρ_(G))^(1/2) where v_(G(MAX)) is the maximum design gas velocity through the mist extractor in meters per second, K is an empirically determined sizing factor in meters per second, ρ_(L) is the density of the liquid in kilograms per cubic meters, and ρ_(G) is the density of the gas in kilograms per cubic meters. Once v_(G(MAX)) has been determined, the following equation may be used to determine the cross-sectional area of the separator: Area (m²)=gas flow rate (m³/s)/v _(G(MAX))

Additional equipment may be installed upstream or downstream of the mist extractors to enhance droplet removal. For example, a coalescing element known as an agglomerator may be installed upstream of the mist extractor. Agglomerators are typically mesh pads and act by coalescing fine droplets into larger ones. However, they cannot capture the droplets. Instead, the velocity of the gas stream blows the enlarged liquid droplets from the agglomerator into the mist extractor, where they are captured. As another example, a wire mesh pad may be installed downstream of a more open-type mist extractor, such as a vane, as a polishing element. The polishing element will typically have the same, or larger, cross-sectional flow area as the mist extractor and is installed solely to improve mist extraction. The polishing element is generally of a different type than the mist extractor.

All mist extractors are capacity-limited. If gas flow exceeds the maximum allowable velocity, re-entrainment of the coalesced liquid droplets into the flowing gas stream will occur or pressure drop will become excessive. If gas flow falls below the minimum allowable velocity, there may not be enough energy in the gas stream to bring about the desired coalescence and capture of liquid droplets. As a result, mist extractors function most effectively within an operating range between these maximum and minimum velocities. The ratio of the maximum allowable velocity to the minimum allowable velocity is defined as the turndown of the mist extractor. For example, if the mist extractor has a turndown of 3:1, the minimum design operating flow rate is one third of the design maximum flow rate. Similarly, the K-factor associated with the minimum design operating velocity is one third of the design maximum K-factor.

Because of mist extractor turndown, gas-liquid separators are designed to operate within a specific turndown, defined as the ratio of the maximum gas flow rate to the minimum gas flow rate. Some gas-liquid separator designs may be less affected by flows that are too low because low flow rates increase the gas phase retention time, allowing some additional separation. As a result, the turndown of the separator may be greater than the turndown of the mist extractor. However, this is generally not the case for gas scrubbers which have very little retention time or for separators in critical service. The design limit for these separators is set by the turndown of the mist extractor.

Gas flow rates may vary widely, particularly in oil and gas production separators. These variations in flow often exceed the turndown of the mist extractor, causing the separator to operate below its design flow range some of the time. Therefore, a need exists to extend the turndown of gas-liquid separators. Extending this turndown increases the time the separator operates within its design flow range and can have practical advantages where flow is surging. In those cases, gas flow may drop off during intervals. Extending the turndown allows for good de-misting during those drop-off periods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for extending turndown in a gas-liquid separator is presented. The system includes a first mist extractor with a first operating range and a second mist extractor with a second operating range. Both mist extractors are located within the gas phase area of the separator and are generally of the same type. However, the second operating range is different than the first operating range. For example, the second operating range may be lower than the first operating range. However, the first and second operating ranges may overlap. A gas stream containing entrained liquid droplets flows through the first mist extractor and then through the second mist extractor. Each mist extractor coalesces and captures the liquid droplets within its own operating range, thus expanding the overall operating range of the gas-liquid separator. Additional mist extractors may be added as necessary to cover any gap between the first and second operating ranges.

A process for extending turndown in a gas-liquid separator is also presented. The process includes the steps of placing a first mist extractor having a first operating range followed by a second mist extractor having a second operating range in a gas phase area of the gas-liquid separator, flowing a gas stream with entrained liquid droplets through the first mist extractor, and passing the gas stream from the first mist extractor through the second mist extractor. Each mist extractor coalesces and captures the liquid droplets within its own operating range, expanding the overall operating range of the gas-liquid separator. The process also includes steps for determining the number of mist extractors needed to cover the operating range of the gas-liquid separator and for sizing the second mist extractor.

Objectives of this invention are to (1) extend the turndown of the separator, i.e., extend the lower design limit to include flow rates below the minimum operating flow rate of a gas-liquid separator; (2) increase the amount of time the separator operates within its design flow range; (3) increase the effectiveness of gas-liquid separation; and (4) improve the efficiency of the separation process without requiring additional space, chemicals, or treatment methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a method for extending turndown in a vertical flow gas-liquid separator, practiced according to this invention.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of a method for extending turndown in a horizontal flow gas-liquid separator, practiced according to this invention.

ELEMENTS AND NUMBERING USED IN THE DRAWINGS AND THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

-   10 Vertical flow gas-liquid separator -   20 Inlet -   30 Gas phase area -   40 Liquid phase area -   50 Liquid level -   60 Gas outlet -   70 Liquid outlet -   80 First mist extractor -   90 Second mist extractor -   100 Horizontal flow gas-liquid separator -   110 Drain tube

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention uses staged mist extractors to extend the gas-phase turndown of gas-liquid separators. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, this may be accomplished by using two mist extractors in series. Alternatively, although not shown in the figures, the invention may use more than two mist extractors in series. All of the mist extractors are generally, but do not have to be, of the same type. Possible types of mist extractors may include, but are not limited to, wire mesh, chevron vanes, plates, or cyclone decks. In addition, the mist extractors have different operating ranges which may overlap. For example, one of the mist extractors may have a lower operating range than the other. The mist extractor with the lower operating range is typically located downstream of the mist extractor with the higher operating range. When the gas stream flow rate is higher, the mist extractor with the higher operating range functions within its recommended range. In contrast, when the gas stream flow rate is lower, the mist extractor with the lower operating range functions within its recommended range. Operating two mist extractors across a wider range of gas stream flow rates thus effectively extends the turndown of the separator.

The following equation can be used to target a specific separator turndown To with two staged mist extractors: A ₂ =K ₁ A ₁ T ₂ /K ₂ T _(O) where A₁ is the area of the mist extractor with the higher operating range, A₂ is the area of the mist extractor with the lower operating range, K₁ is the design upper limit K-factor of the mist extractor with the higher operating range, K₂ is the design upper limit K-factor of the mist extractor with the lower operating range, T₂ is the turndown of the mist extractor with the lower operating range, and T_(O) is the targeted separator turndown. In this way, the mist extractor with the lower operating range can be sized so as to allow a minimum flow rate as determined by targeted separator turndown T_(O).

If T_(O) is very large, the operating ranges of the first mist extractor and the second mist extractor may not overlap. Instead, they may have a gap between them which is not ideal for either mist extractor. One or more additional mist extractors may be added to the gas phase area of the separator in order to cover the gap. The following equations may be used to determine the number of mist extractors needed to cover the entire range of separator flow rates. For example, if A ₂ ≧K ₁ A ₁ /K ₂ T ₁ where T₁ is the specified turndown of the mist extractor with the higher operating range, then two mist extractors are sufficient. Alternatively, if A ₂ <K ₁ A ₁ /K ₂ T ₁ then two mist extractors are insufficient to cover the range. In that case, more than two mist extractors in series are required to meet the critical design criteria across the complete range of possible gas stream flows.

As an example, FIG. 1 provides an embodiment of a system for extending turndown in a vertical flow gas-liquid separator 10. Vertical flow gas-liquid separators may be preferred in applications with high gas-to-liquid ratios or where space is limited. Inlet 20 receives the incoming gas stream and distributes it into the gas phase area 30. Some of the liquid droplets in the gas stream settle into the liquid phase area 40 due to gravitation. The boundary between the gas phase area 30 and the liquid phase area 40 is marked by liquid level 50. Rather than settling into the liquid phase area, the smaller droplets that are entrained in the gas stream may flow upward with the gas through the first mist extractor 80, where they are coalesced into larger droplets and captured in the extractor. The gas stream then flows through the second mist extractor 90, where additional droplets are coalesced and captured. After passing through the second mist extractor 90, the dry gas stream exits through the gas outlet 60 at the top of the separator 10, while the liquid that has fallen to the bottom of the separator 10 is removed through the liquid outlet 70. Although two phases are shown in FIG. 1, the invention is equally applicable for separators with three or more phases.

As another example, FIG. 2 provides an embodiment of a system for extending turndown in a horizontal flow gas-liquid separator 100. The separator 100 may have a gas phase area 30 and a liquid phase area 40, with liquid level 50 marking the boundary between the gas phase area 30 and the liquid phase area 40. Inlet 20 receives the incoming gas stream and distributes it into the gas phase area 30. The liquids settle to the liquid phase area 40 due to gravitation and may then be withdrawn from the separator 100 through liquid outlet 70.

The smaller liquid droplets that remain entrained in the gas stream may flow horizontally with the gas through the first mist extractor 80, where they are coalesced into larger droplets and captured in the extractor. The gas stream then flows through the second mist extractor 90, where additional droplets are coalesced and captured. The second mist extractor 90 is enclosed and is connected to a drain tube 110, which exits to the liquid phase area 40 below the liquid level 50. After passing through the second mist extractor 90, the dry gas stream exits through the gas outlet 60 at the top of the horizontal flow gas-liquid separator 100. The liquid droplets collected by the second mist extractor 90 flow through the drain tube 110 and into the liquid phase area 40. Although a separator having a gas phase and a liquid phase is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the invention is equally applicable to separators with more than two phases.

While preferred embodiments of a system and process for extending turndown in a gas-liquid separator have been described in detail, a person of ordinary skill in the art understands that certain changes can be made in the arrangement of process steps and type of components used in the system and process without departing from the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for extending turndown in a gas-liquid separator, the gas-liquid separator having a gas phase area located within it, the apparatus comprising: a first and a second mist extractor located in a gas-phase area of the gas-liquid separator and arranged in series with one another, said mist extractors being a same kind of mist extractor but having a different cross-sectional area A₁ and A₂, respectively, the cross-sectional area A₂ of the second mist extractor being sized according to an equation A₂=K₁A₁T₂/K₂T_(O) where: K₁ is a design upper limit K-factor of the first mist extractor, K₂ is a design upper limit K-factor of the second mist extractor, T₂ is a targeted turndown of the second mist extractor, and T_(O) is a targeted turndown of the gas-liquid separator, T_(O)≠T₂.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area A₂ of the second mist extractor is greater than K₁A₁/K₂T₁ where T₁ is a targeted turndown of the first mist extractor, T₁≠T₂.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area A₂ of the second mist extractor is less than K₁A₁/K₂T₁ where T₁ is a targeted turndown of the first mist extractor.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising at least one additional mist extractor located in the gas-phase area of the gas-liquid separator and arranged in series with the first and second mist extractors, the at least one additional mist extractor being a same kind of mist extractor as the first and second mist extractors.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the targeted turndown T₂ of the second mist extractor is a turndown for a flow rate below a designed minimum operating flow rate of the gas-liquid separator.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an operating range of the second mist extractor is lower than an operating range of the first mist extractor.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an operating range of the first mist extractor and of the second mist extractor overlap one another.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one additional mist extractor located in the gas-phase area of the gas-liquid separator and arranged in series with the first and second mist extractors, the at least one additional mist extractor being a same kind of mist extractor as the first and second mist extractors. 